Over 130 Years of History
In the Bikan Historical Quarter of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, there is a well-known tourist attraction called the Ohara Museum of Art. The museum was established by Magosaburo Ohara, a wealthy entrepreneur of the Meiji and Taisho periods, who also hosted a lecture series called the "Kurashiki Sunday Lectures." These lectures, which invited scholars and intellectuals from across Japan to speak, continued for nearly 20 years from 1902.
At the 19th lecture, our company's founder, Meizen Kimpara, delivered a speech titled "Career and Aspirations." Meizen Kimpara was a remarkable figure from Shizuoka Prefecture during the Meiji and Taisho periods, known for prioritizing public welfare in all his endeavors. He dedicated his personal wealth to improving flood control and forest conservation along the Tenryu River, contributing significantly to both the region and the nation.
The Tenryu River region was once rich in natural resources such as cedar and cypress, with high-quality timber transported via the river to various locations. However, the area was often devastated by heavy rains, prompting Kimpara to establish a railway-based timber transportation business to provide a safer and more reliable transport method. This venture marked the origin of our company.
1892September
Meizen Kimpara founded Tenryu Transportation Company and launched a railway-based timber transportation business along the Tenryu River and in Tokyo (the founding of Maruwn).
Meizen Kimpara
1928December
Tenryu Transportation established Tenryu Transport Co., Ltd.
1938December
Tenryu Transport established Tenryu Corporation.
1941–1945
Under wartime emergency transportation measures, Tenryu Transportation and Tenryu Transport were integrated into Nippon Express.
1947December
Tenryu Corporation, exempt from wartime consolidation, changed its name to Tenryu Transportation Co., Ltd.
1950December
Acquired the land transportation division of Railway Kinoshita Co., Ltd. and changed the company name to Tenryu Kinoshita Transport Co., Ltd.
1955–1959
The freight forwarding business reached its peak. As part of Japan National Railways' modernization initiatives, container trains were introduced, and the company flourished in handling mixed cargo at stations like Shiodome and Akihabara.
1960June
Renamed the company as Maruwn Co., Ltd., inspired by the historic company emblem.
November
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange as an over-the-counter stock.
1981August
Adopted "Norakuro" as the company mascot. Norakuro, a manga character created by Suiho Tagawa, resonated with the company's values of sincerity, safety, and innovation.
1986January
Opened the Higashi-Ogishima Logistics Center, the first large-scale logistics hub adapted to the new logistics era.
1990September
Upgraded to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
1992September
Celebrated the company's 100th anniversary.
2000October
Obtained ISO 9001 certification.
2002September
Restructured the liquid transport business, launching eight regional companies.
November
Acquired shares of Jomo Transport Tokyo Co., Ltd. (now Maruwn Transport East Japan Co., Ltd.), making it a consolidated subsidiary.
2003December
Obtained ISO 14001 certification.
2006March
Established the Shanghai office in China.
2008January
Established the local subsidiary "Maruwn International Freight Agency (Shanghai) Co., Ltd." in China.
2009May
Obtained Privacy Mark certification in compliance with Japanese Industrial Standards.
2011August
Moved headquarters to Nihonbashi Koamicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
2015April
Certified as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) customs broker.
June
Established "Maruwn Logistics (Tianjin) Co., Ltd." in China.
November
Established "Maruwn Corporate Governance Guidelines."
2016April
Integrated Maruwn International Freight Co., Ltd.
June
Established the Audit and Supervisory Committee.
2017August
Established "Maruwn Logistics Vietnam Co., Ltd." in Vietnam.
2019April
Acquired 51% of the shares in Shizuoka Petroleum Transport Co., Ltd. (making it a consolidated subsidiary).
2022April
Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market.
2024July
Entered a capital and business alliance with SANCOPACK in Vietnam.
